Lord of the Rings: Motion Picture Trilogy - The Exhibition

This international touring exhibition has now completed its international tour, having been seen by over 1.3 million people.

Discover the amazing secrets behind The Lord of the Rings movies! In association with New Line Cinema, Te Papa presents The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy – The Exhibition. This ground-breaking international exhibition takes you behind the scenes and into the heart of Peter Jackson’s epic films.

See how traditional craftsmanship has combined with the latest computer technology to create one of the most extraordinary and successful films ever. See the magical ring on which the entire trilogy is based. Admire the exquisite workmanship and detail of actual props, costumes and jewellery. Attempt to lift the heavy swords from Rohan, and feel the exquisite detail of the chain mail painstakingly constructed for the movie.

You can also take an up-close look at some of the many miniature models used in the trilogy, including Frodo’s vision of ruined Hobbiton, The Tower of Orthanc, and Sauron’s Castle.

Interactive exhibits include one that explains the complicated scaling technology used. Sit in a cart with a parent and tower over them! Exclusive DVD interviews with the cast and crew, including Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, director Peter Jackson and Oscar-winning special effects wizard Richard Taylor, reveal even more of the amazing secrets behind the blockbusting trilogy.

You’ve seen the movies, now experience the exhibition!

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More about the exhibition

Developed by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in partnership with New Line Cinema, TheLord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy - The Exhibition opened at Te Papa in December 2002. The exhibition proved to be the most popular ever put on at Te Papa, with over 220,000 visitors.

The exhibition is both interactive and immersive. It gives visitors a unique opportunity to explore the fantastic world created for the film trilogy and the ground-breaking technology behind the movies.

Visitors are transported into the world of Middle-earth where they can step into the colourful, imaginative world of hobbits, wizards, kings, and warriors. The exhibition features hundreds of artefacts from the epic film trilogy including original costumes, armour, weapons, jewellery, and miniatures.

Immersed in these objects, visitors can explore the ground-breaking technology used in the films such as computer-generated special effects and animatronics, and hear from cast, crew, and director in exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews shown on monitors throughout the exhibition.The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy - The Exhibition is currently committed to a tour of six international venues through to January 2006.